Typically, when we refer to x-platform storytelling, we’re thinking about a story that spans multiple screens.

But, we’re venturing into a slightly different space to extend the definition of “x-platform” (cross-platform) – With a line of NFC jewelry for children (based on a character; and designed to be integrated within real-world “play”) with an NFC (near field communication) tag, that leads to a speech-based daily mobile app.

The first character is based on our Toothfairy app. But, plans are for a Santa version, along with variations will be non-gender specific, is also underway for the 2013 Holiday Season.

Our children’s apps (produced through our contentAI studios unit) do exceptionally well – with some months resulting in tens of thousands of Users. But, we want don’t want kids to live solely with their eyes glued to digital screens – So, we have designed the first iterations of a line of jewelry that includes NFC.

How the heck are iPhone User’s going to access the app?

Well, unfortunately, iPhone Users can’t get that “magical” tap experience that NFC offers, but, they can save a URL as a “favorite” and access the app – But, the UI/UX with NFC is what we think adds real value to the user engagement – especially, with the youngest of early-adopters – Kids.

The idea of intuitively linking objects to mobile applications via NFC is an area we are deeply focused. People, especially kids, still really like “things,” stuff they can look at and touch – extending the story from an object to a mobile app is an obvious next step for us. Plus, we’ve gotten a whole new range of experiences in manufacturing and production of “things,” which has been a nice evolution.

2012 was exceptional for My Santa Talk, with the Year ending with over 10,000 monthly sessions for the app and Users in over 80 countries. The engagement were also qualitatively improved; in terms of the quality of the conversations and their durations.

From our side, the focus of our ventures have narrow-focused to extending storied content experiences to 2nd Screens and the “internet of things.” (“IoT”).

Initially, we will be extending our own children’s app properties, which have done exceptionally well on mobile, to IoT products. Call them interactive toys, jewelry or companion products, we believe that especially children’s engagement is greatly enhanced when there are real-world objects included with the mobile/digital experience. This can allow for an individual’s imagination to take the object and make it part of their play and their own stories.

We’ll be announcing partnerships with some fascinating technology partners in the coming months. We’ll also be more active on the conference circuit as Exhibitors. Ideally, for 2013, My Santa Talk will have an array of complementary IoT gadgets to enhance the experience for children.

This site (this one, that you’re on) will be more focused on the business of My Santa Talk, including Licensing and franchise spin-off opportunities. We have some pretty fascinating stuff under the tree that we’re anxious to share with everyone…so, keep an eye out.

For those interested in business relationships, we look forward to chatting with you and sharing the success that My Santa Talk has had, globally, throughout 2012. We have a significant up-tick in traffic, but, more importantly, in the duration and quality of each session. As we add more audio and voice features, we anticipate this to increase throughout 2013 as well.

Looking at our (anonymous) chat logs, we see a steady increase in daily chat sessions as the Holiday Season gets closer.

There are (literally), thousands of kids chatting with MY SANTA TALK every month…and the number is increasing.

Initially, the plan was release a new version of MY SANTA TALK in association with a commercial sponsor. That was going to be a fine-line to tread…where we didn’t want to overly commercialize the experience (or turn the whole app into an ad).

We’ve decided to only allow commercialization in “branched” versions that are localized – leaving the primary version “clean” of sponsorship. We’ll probably only undertake a few minor modifications to this year’s version of MY SANTA TALK. A complete “audio” enhancement has been on our “to do” list…but, that’s a long list. We’re still seeing what we can work in our schedule before the U.S. Thanksgiving official 2012 Season Launch.

We don’t often read our reviews (It’s the elves job and they only mention technical problems, if any, since that is their focus)…

But, we were looking through the KINDLE FIRE reviews today (Where MY SANTA TALK is batting 6 out of 7, which we guess is pretty good — Hey, kids are a tough audience, we’ll never hit 100%)…Some highlights…

fun and cute app even convinced me Santa was real and my parents already told me hes not.over all cute and adorble app kids of all ages will love

this app is pretty good. its fun to be able to chat with Santa! the app as I noticed does repeat alittle but its still a great app to have. it works great on the kindle fire I use it all the time.

And, even thought the app is free, someone was very enthusiastic about purchasing it!

this is totally awesome!!! you can acutlly talk to Santa and he’ll respond to you! buy this app! its cool and fun and you get to talk to him for REAL! PLEASE BUY THIS!!!

We’ve seen too many quickly hacked together children’s apps that may show off a developer’s technology nicely but have not been thought through when it comes to protecting children, particularly children’s privacy (Not to point fingers, but, those “Santa Apps” that acquire someone’s phone number and address without parental controls? )

This is a maturing Industry in it’s nascent stages. The “manifesto” is a nice guideline to start forwarding to children’s app developers; whether they are garage shops or large scale corporations.